His Majesty the Maalie King records his birding, fishing and travel exploits

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Monday, July 26, 2010

Maalie's Five Lake Adventure - Part 1

The advertisement for my new Feel-Free Nomad Kayak claims: "It will soon become your friend". I was keen to put this claim to the test with a tour of some of the more remote lakes in Cumbria's Lake District. Setting off from Maalie Court at 5.00am, I launched onto Derwent Water at exactly 8.00am on a flat-calm clear morning.

I head off towards an island in the lake with the fells of Skiddaw as a backdrop

A group of Cormorants soak up the early morning sun on a rocky outcrop in Derwent Water

Crummock Water

After an hour and a half of exploring Derwent Water, the boat was back on the roof rack of my X-Trail to head up into Borrrowdale towards what is claimed to be the prettiest sight in Cumbria, namely Buttermere. Unfortunately there was nowhere close enough to the lake edge to park and launch the boat and so I continued on up to Crummock Water.

By midday, a gentle breeze was just rippling the surface of Crummock water

Looking north on Crummock Water, with cumulus clouds above the lake

I pull ashore on an island in Crummock Water in order to admire my boat from the shore. It already feels like it is becoming my friend

Incidentally, Crummock Water was given an alternative name in honour of my Norwegian ballerina friend Helén during her visit to the Lake District in May 2005. We named it Helén's Water.

Helén poses en attitide (left) at the edge of Crummock Water (a.k.a. Helén's Water)in May 2005, and in costume (right - this photo from her FB).

After exploring Crummock Water, I adventured forth to the smaller lake of Lowes Water.

Lowes Water

Evening at Lowes Water, looking South. The lake is renowned for its population of pike and though I tried fishing for a couple of hours, I did not catch one

A call of nature obliges me to find a concealed haven in which to pull ashore for a few moments

By the time I came off Lowes Water it was time for my evening meal, cooked on my camping stoves, and then to settle down for the night. After a day of beautiful weather, the clouds appeared to be gathering in the evening gloom. But I still had two more lakes to explore...

I especially like the first two photos. There's something very special about water first thing in the morning.I was fast commenting because I happened to be on facebook when I saw the notice pop up that your new blog was out!

Hi Maalie, Merisi sent me over to see your Lake District post. Your photos of Derwentwater bring back happy memories of my visit there in the summer of 2009....I look forward to your next post. The Lake District was a favorite of all the places we visited that summer. Wish I could have stayed there longer and skipped London!!